Page 28 of Palace of Betrayal

Bebe laughed and his hands tightened on her ass, which she loved. His touch was becoming addictive. “We can’t have him thinking I’m a bad influence. He might not plan our wedding.”

“Argh, fine.” Leo stepped back and put some space between them as he placed his hands on his hips and looked at the floor. “Go. Change or whatever you need to do before I forget myself and ravish you on the carpet.”

Bebe was clever enough to know when to beat a hasty retreat and spun on her heel heading for the bathroom. She took her time freshening her make-up and smoothing her hair. She wanted to make a good impression on the King, so he’d believe this story they were weaving. At least that was what she told herself as she slipped into a cream crepe midi dress with a wide belt and tiny pearl buttons which did up to a peter pan collar. Slipping her feet into pale green suede shoes, she checked the blade that was embedded in the heel and secured the belt so she could easily access the garrot that ran through the middle of the stiff fabric.

She’d like to have her gun and throwing stars, but she could hardly arrive for lunch with the King with a gun on her person. Satisfied she was ready to do this, she exited the bathroom and found Leo relaxed on the bed in a grey suit and white shirt, a pale green tie around his neck in a complex knot.

He rose to his feet, coming toward her and taking her hands so he could spin her gently. “Breath taking.”

Bebe felt an unfamiliar blush stain her cheeks and smiled, dipping her head, before her eyes moved over him. “Not so bad yourself, Leo.”

He dipped his head in thanks and she felt the attraction between them sizzle hotter than a four-alarm fire.

“We should talk about what we discovered at the Marina.” Bebe needed to get this back on track before she lost herself to lust.

Leo pursed his lips, his brow dropping in concern. “Yes, I’ll try and keep lunch short so we can come back here and talk about things.”

With her hand in his, her other holding the flat envelope purse with her phone and lip gloss, she followed Leo out of the relative safety of the apartment and down the elegant staircase. Her eyes moved around in what anyone watching would assume was wonder but was actually her checking the camera positions.

She knew someone back at Zenobi would be watching the feed and keeping an eye on the gem. She’d get an alarm through her phone if the room was breached. First chance she got Bebe needed to speak to Roz about the two new hires in the palace.

It could easily be one of them was the person she was looking for, but it was just as likely it was someone who’d been in the palace a long time and been bought off or tempted in some way.

Humans, she was all too aware, were fickle creatures and if you knew the right button to push, easily manipulated. The other thing she had to consider was whether this person knew the full details of the plan regarding the auctions and the other gems.

She stopped beside Leo as he reached the King’s quarters and waited for them to be announced. When the door opened, she got a glimpse into the understated luxury of the King’s apartment within the palace.

Where León’s apartment was modern with modest luxurious touches, the King’s was classic. With a lot of antiques and wood, deep leather couches, priceless paintings and artworks from a time gone by.

The butler showed them into the dining room where the King was waiting. He turned with a smile, a crystal glass of amber liquid in one hand. “Ah, León, Bebe. I hope you’re hungry. I’ve had the chef prepare all of your favourite dishes, Leo.”

“It smells delicious, Your Majesty.”

A genuine smile spread across Alfred’s face. “A woman who enjoys her food. A true find, my boy.”

“Shall we?” Leo asked a touch of impatience in his voice.

Bebe frowned at the sharp tone, as the King’s face fell for just a second before he rallied. “Yes, of course.”

He sat at the head of the table with Leo to his left and her beside Leo. The table was set as if for a banquet, with polished silver cutlery, the finest of china and crystal wine glasses. Delicious aromas were coming from the covered dishes that were being carried out as if there were ten people dining and not just the three of them.

“Father, it seems you may have gone overboard.”

King Alfred regarded his son and Bebe wished the breach between the men could be eased. “It’s a long time since we dined together. I wanted to make the most of it.”

Regret and sadness clouded his words and she felt Leo tense beside her. Without thought, her hand reached for his and squeezed gently in support. He turned her way and she smiled, giving him a small nod of encouragement. Encouraging what she wasn’t sure, but she wanted him to know she was there for him.

His eyes held hers for a moment in time and something passed between them that she couldn’t explain. Not lust or love, but a silent conversation between two people who knew pain and understood the complexities of family.

Breaking his gaze away he kept her hand in his as he turned to his father, who was watching them, intently. “You’re right, Father, and for that I’m sorry. I’ll do better in the future.”

A sheen of tears came over the King’s eyes before he glanced away, clearing his throat. “Please dig in. I hope you don’t mind but I’ve asked the staff to leave us for this meal so we can just be a family for a change.”

Leo lifted a plate of roast beef and offered her some, Bebe shook her head. “I don’t eat beef or pork.” Being a somewhat lapsed Hindu was a source of guilt for her and she had certainly not followed the spiritual teachings of her childhood into her work life, but not eating beef or pork had stuck with her. As had, some of the other things like her belief that samsara the continuous cycle of life, death, and reincarnation and karma were at work in the universe.

“Is that a religious belief or just a personal choice?” Leo passed the basket of bread, and she tipped her head in thanks.

“I was raised Hindu by my parents, but I don’t consider myself one religion or faith. I feel more spiritual than religious.”